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Forensic Science at University of Winchester - UCAS

Course options

2024 - 2025
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University of Winchester has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Course summary

  • Benefit from a team of research-active academics and experts who work at the forefront of the field and who use interactive and practical teaching approaches to bring theory and practice to life
  • Gain a specialist degree in a rapidly growing field with a current skills shortage in the marketplace
  • Learn how to successfully present your evidence in written format and orally within a mock trial
  • Access a wide range of specialist software and tools including a range of laboratories, a dedicated crime scene house and a taphonomic facility with a licence to carry out decomposition studies
  • Are you a keen scientist with an eye for detail? The latest addition to the University of Winchester’s Forensics’ portfolio is a fascinating degree in the fast-evolving environment of Forensic Science.
The Forensic Science degree will offer modules that give you a firm grounding in the theoretical and practical aspects of crime scene investigation, evidence analysis and expert witness skills. You will have the opportunity to attend mock crime scenes, to recover and analyse forensic evidence, and to present your results in a variety of ways, such as expert witness reports and oral and poster presentations. You will encounter evidence types and learn from real forensic practitioners how to examine and interpret the evidence. The programme will include a significant amount of laboratory work in order to ensure you gain competence in the selection and use of a range of methods used in the location, identification, recovery, examination, comparison, extraction and scientific analysis of commonly encountered physical, chemical and biological materials. Teaching takes place through a variety of methods, including small group seminars, field work and laboratory practicals. You will gain valuable practical skills and develop your independent thinking by working under crime scene conditions and undertaking evidence collection using the universities facilities such as new laboratory, taphonomic facility and a dedicated crime scene house. In Year 1, you study key issues in forensic investigation and begin to develop your own research and analytical skills. Core modules include History of Forensic Science, Introduction to Forensic Evidence, Non-Biological Evidence, Biological Evidence, Contemporary Issues, Introduction to Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Academic and Employment Skills. In Year 2, you explore modules on Forensic Medicine, Research Methods, Practical Skills, Forensic DNA Evidence, Forensic Ecology, Geoforensics and Forensic Toxicology. In your final year, you will study modules in Crime Scene Investigation and Court Room Skills, and carry out an extended research project of your own design. This enables you to specialise in your chosen field of research, under the guidance of your supervisor. Some optional modules are available in Years 2 and 3, depending on your own interests. These may include Case Investigation and Review, Fakes and Forgeries, Volunteering, Document Analysis, Forensic Linguistics and Advanced Forensic Examination. Key transferable skills are gained throughout the course, which are important for employability and those entering further education. These include the ability to communicate findings through oral and poster presentations, to write detailed and clear laboratory logs and expert witness reports, and to present evidence orally under cross-examination. This is a versatile degree that gives you an excellent basis for a future career in the field. As a strategic thinking graduate equipped with valuable transferable skills you will be prepared for employment in a wide variety of fields, such as governmental agencies, forensic investigation, policing, quality assurance in food and pharmaceutical manufacturing, laboratory analysis and chemical and biological research. This programme is currently seeking recognition from The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.

How to apply

31Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
F430
Institution code:
W76
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Applicants are required to hold a minimum of 2 x A-level or equivalent qualifications (e.g. 2 x BTEC National Subsidiary Diplomas) and we accept all A-level subjects, including Critical Thinking, General Studies and own-language A-levels. We welcome applicants who have completed the Extended Project (EP/EPQ) and points obtained from this qualification will be included in any offer. In addition, we accept a maximum of 32 points from level 3 qualifications below A2 that are included in the tariff (e.g. AS-levels not studied at A-level, music or dance qualifications). If you are a mature student, your application will be considered on its individual merits and work or other professional experience may be taken into consideration in lieu of other published requirements.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6An overall score of 6.0, including 5.5 in writing is required. If you require Tier 4 sponsorship, you will require a minimum of 5.5 in all 4 components.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £9250 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 Year 1
Scotland £9250 Year 1
Wales £9250 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9250 Year 1
Channel Islands £9250 Year 1
EU £16700 Year 1
International £16700 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

For further information about any additional costs associated with this course please see the individual course page on the University of Winchester website (www.winchester.ac.uk).
Forensic Science at University of Winchester - UCAS